Kratom has been popular, intriguing, but often misunderstood. Like coffee once was centuries ago, Kratom has been wrapped in stories, rumors, and half-truths that make it hard to separate reality from speculation. Some call it the “coffee cousin,” others confuse it with opioids, and many simply repeat what they’ve heard without ever checking the facts. That’s why Kratom myths spread faster than the truth. In this blog, we’ll tackle the most common misconceptions and reveal the real facts about this plant.
Why So Many Myths About Kratom Exist?
Here’s the thing: the less people know about something, the faster the myths multiply. Kratom is a perfect example; half the world still thinks it’s an “opioid,” while the other half confuses it with coffee just because they share the same plant family. Both are wrong, but the internet loves a good rumor.
A big reason these myths about Kratom keep popping up is the legal mess. Some states allow it, others ban it, and most people just assume, “If it’s restricted somewhere, it must be dangerous.” Add “not FDA approved” to it, and suddenly the narrative sounds scarier than it is.
Then there’s the media factor. Headlines with shock value—“Is Kratom the Next Dangerous Drug?” get way more clicks than “Here’s What the Science Says.” Over time, those dramatic takes turn into common Kratom myths people repeat without ever checking the facts.
So, confusion, patchy rules, and sensational headlines are why ‘Kratom facts vs fiction’ are still tangled up. And that’s exactly what we’re here to sort out.
Kratom Myths & Facts Explained
If you’ve spent even five minutes googling Kratom, you’ve probably run into the same recycled claims: “It’s basically an opioid,” “It’s super addictive,” “It’s illegal everywhere,” and so on. Some of these sound convincing at first glance, but once you dig in, you get to know the reality.
So, let’s start looking at the most common Kratom myths and check them against the facts.
#1 Myth: Kratom Is An Opioid
This is the easiest to debunk. Most people, when they hear alkaloids, instantly throw Kratom in the opioid bucket.
The fact: Kratom comes from the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and not the Poppy family, like opioids. Yes, it contains alkaloids like mitragynine, but that does not make it an opioid. Here’s why the confusion happens: those alkaloids interact with some of the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, but that too in a totally different way.
#2 Myth: Kratom Is Highly Addictive
Here’s the line you might hear more often. “ Try Kratom once and you will be hooked for life.” Doesn’t that sound dramatic?
The fact: Kratom is not in the same category as substances that cause severe dependency. Kratom tolerance might happen, but only if it is taken in large amounts or too frequently. So if you have ever wondered, ‘Is Kratom addictive?’ Then let us tell you not in a way that fear-mongering headlines make it sound. Like any plant with active compounds, using it responsibly makes a big difference.
#3 Myth: It Is Illegal Everywhere
The next Kratom myth that needs to be busted is that it's illegal everywhere. If you go by internet rumours, you’d definitely think it is stashed in some vault and banned across the globe, but that’s not true.
The fact: In the US, Kratom is legal in most states. A few places, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin, have bans, while others regulate it with age restrictions. So why does the myth exist? Because being banned in some places quickly turns to being banned everywhere in online chatter. The reality isn’t this, and it's just the half-truth that misses the bigger picture.
#4 Myth: It Has No Traditional Or Cultural History
Some people talk about Kratom like it just came out of nowhere as an overnight trend with no roots. That is really far from the truth.
The fact: Kratom has been a part of Southeast Asian culture for centuries. Farmers used to chew the raw leaves during long days in the fields, and communities used them in traditional daily practices. Moreover, it has been a considerable part of people's daily life even before any wellness blog ever mentioned it. So when someone says, Kratom has no history it is really just one of those common Kratom myths.
#5 Myth: Kratom Is Unsafe Because It’s not FDA-Approved
The trending myths about Kratom also include ‘If the FDA has not approved it, it is unsafe’. This might sound like it's official, but it's actually not the truth.
The fact: The FDA doesn’t approve many substances, and that includes coffee, plant-based substances, and more. However, the lack of FDA approval does not necessarily mean something is dangerous; it simply means it hasn’t undergone the same pharmaceutical approval process. This is the reason why this sits high on the list of common Kratom myths. People often mix not approved with not safe, which is not true.
#6 Myth: Mixing Alcohol With Kratom And Coffee Is Unsafe
Here’s a popular one: “It’s fine to mix Kratom with your morning coffee or a few drinks at night.” Not exactly.
The fact: Combining Kratom with coffee doubles down on stimulation, which can be overwhelming for some. Mixing it with alcohol is even riskier since alcohol is a depressant, and the two don’t balance each other out the way people think.
This is one of those myths about Kratom that sounds harmless but can actually cause problems. Just because both coffee and Kratom come from the same plant family doesn’t mean they play nice together in your system.
Kratom Facts You Must Know About
Here are some facts about Kratom that will help you clearly distinguish fact from fiction:
- Kratom belongs to the same family as Coffee, i.e, Rubiaceae.
- The main alkaloids in it include: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
- It has been used for centuries.
- These days, Kratom is available as capsules, powder, shots, and extracts.
- It is legal in most of the US states but restricted in a few.
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When used in appropriate amounts, Kratom has a lot of benefits.
Busting Common Kratom Myths & Knowing The Facts
In the end, most of the noise around Kratom comes from half-truths, assumptions, and clickbait headlines. Once you are able to separate common Kratom myths from facts, this picture becomes a lot clearer. The takeaway? Stick to Kratom facts vs fiction, and you’ll avoid the confusion that keeps these myths alive. The more accurate the information, the easier it is to see Kratom for what it really is, not what the rumors say.
FAQs About Kratom Myths & Facts
What is the difference between Kratom and opioids?
Kratom comes from the coffee family, while opioids belong to the Poppy family. Though Kratom interacts with some of the same receptors in the brain as “opioids”, that is an entirely different scenario.
What are the biggest myths about Kratom?
The biggest myth about Kratom definitely includes comparing it to opioids and calling it unsafe just because the FDA disapproves of it.
Why is Kratom not FDA-approved?
The FDA does not approve Kratom, as it falls under the same category as other plant-based supplements and coffee.
Disclaimer: All the information presented in this blog is just for educational purposes. We do not make any claims on our behalf for Kratom products. You must do your own research when moving ahead with using Kratom.
